Luke Phillips
Encyclopedia
Luke Phillips is an Australian professional rugby league football referee and former player. A goal-kicking fullback, he played for National Rugby League
clubs the Sydney Roosters
(with whom he won the 2002 NRL Premiership), Canberra Raiders
, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
and North Queensland Cowboys
. Following his retirement from playing he became an NRL referee.
in the 1996 ARL season against the Western Reds at the WACA Ground. He played for the North Queensland Cowboys
during the 1997 Super League (Australia) season. He spent his third year in the top grade at a third club after moving to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
for the 1998 NRL season. The following year he moved to the Sydney Roosters
where he would remain for the rest of his career. His performance for the club in their 2000 Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos
drew glowing praise. The Roosters made the Grand Final again in 2002 and Phillips played in the winning side with a shoulder injury that was later operated on in the off-season. However he retired during the first half of the 2003 season after failing to recover.
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
clubs the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
(with whom he won the 2002 NRL Premiership), Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
and North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
. Following his retirement from playing he became an NRL referee.
Playing career
After playing for West Belconnen Warriors as a junior, Phillips made his first-rade debut for the Canberra RaidersCanberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
in the 1996 ARL season against the Western Reds at the WACA Ground. He played for the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
during the 1997 Super League (Australia) season. He spent his third year in the top grade at a third club after moving to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
for the 1998 NRL season. The following year he moved to the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
where he would remain for the rest of his career. His performance for the club in their 2000 Grand Final loss to the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
drew glowing praise. The Roosters made the Grand Final again in 2002 and Phillips played in the winning side with a shoulder injury that was later operated on in the off-season. However he retired during the first half of the 2003 season after failing to recover.